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First time purchase advice

Don't ignore my post as some clown asking what machine to buy for drain cleaning....I am a little past there, so please read on and any advice is appreciated!

and please don't let this degrade into drum vs. sectionals, I have made my decision on that issue.

I have 23 yrs in new construction, and then the last 2 in service and repair.
I currently don't do any drain cleaning, but I have had too many calls that had multiple issues, including drain cleaning, or been on a call and while there want me to look at slow draining something. I want to be set up to take care of all issues a customer has.

Most of what I will initially deal with will be kitchens, showers, tubs, lavs, floor drains and washers.
We have many old homes (early 1900's) in our area so I see 1 1/2 gal., also
1 1/4 dwv copper.

2- should I buy a section of 3/8 cable for drum with male coupling for more versatility? if so what length? 25', 35' or 50'?

3- my last question (which this answer could totally screw all my planning) I would later like to also get a K-60, however I first need something for smaller drains........I did see where guys have put the K-50 drum adapters on the K-60, does that work or does it take some modifications to make it work? If that does work.........then maybe I should be getting K-60 with adapters...........

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Yes the k-50 drums just bolt up no fuss, I use them all the time but the k-60 can overpower the small cable if you are not careful should only take one kinked cable to teach you. But the k-50 is lighter so unless it is on another truck you will probably reach for it anyway on sinks.

But on a serious note..it's my opinion only that..the K-50 is a nice universal machine to start out with. I don't do nearly as much draining cleaning as a lot of guys here do, but the K-50 was a solid choice for us.

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based on your initial needs, the k-50 is a great choice. but i would defiantly get a few more sections of 5/8'' cable. 75' total should be enough for most branch lines/ kitchens. 45' does come up short.

i've never been a drum adapter fan. but i can tell you the k-60 will destroy the drum cables unless you have a very good feeling for the cables. just too much speed and power.

i know you will be getting the k-60 sooner than later for your real stubborn stoppages

you might rethink your purchase and get the k-45af and the k-60 with both 5/8'' and 7/8'' cable. although the k-50 is a great machine, the k-60 overlap the k-50. i have both and use both, but money is not an object

so to save some money down the road, and still be able to do 95% of your residential drain cleaning, the k-60 and k-45af might be a wiser first choice

rick.

phoebe it is

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Yep the 50 is an awsome little machine.Used one for years.Just gave 2 away after buying the 60 .Not trying to talk you out of the 50 since you already have made up your mind .But The versatility of the 60 doesn't even compare. Yes if you are getting the drum attachments for the 50 def. the 3/8" with the male end. Then you can use alot more of your heads .I keep a drop head auger on mine just because that is the head I use the most with that cable..What was great when I bought my 60 was that I already had all the 5/8" cables and heads so now I am set.Good luck with your purchase you will make some $$$ with the 50

''Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" Benjamin Franklin

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I had thought about the K39AF, my concern is I had some (bad) experiences yrs ago trying to clean out tub drains with a general wire super vee style machine. It was cumbersome to use and you needed a 3rd hand to guide the cable.
maybe it was just me but I didn't have much success with that machine and liked the idea of freeing up my hands a little.

I know the auto feed will help with some of that........just have those bad memories to overcome.

so maybe some additional thought on the K39 are in order....
(see what happens, I had my mind all made up..........then I had to ask!)

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I like my K39AF. I super easy to use. If you use everyday it will not last a lifetime. Remove the cable after each use. I think the auto feed is good enough to out weight what the drill lacks. Mine is three years old and is getting tired plus we tend to jet kitchen lines not cable them. Use it in the proper size line and it will pay for it self in no time. I just did a whole school with 30 urials with thing. The new model is just out it sound like the drill is alittle more HD. Home Depot carries the thing plus cables in many markets. Buy an extra cable for the thing, sometimes they last months sometimes hours.